Bowling pin setting machine control mechanism



Oct. 13, 1942. P. M. NEJEDLY BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM I Filed June "I, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR,

PETfR M. NEJEDLY ATTORNEY- Oct. 13, 1942. I P, NEJEDLY 2,298,718

BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 7, 1940 i1 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 5 PETER r1. NEJ EOLY v BY 14 I ATTORNEY BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE CONTROL uncmrsu Filed June '7, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 R O T N E V m haw ATTORNEY Oct. 13, 1942. P. M. NEJEDLY BbWLiNG P IN SETTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISE Filed June '7, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR PETER/1.NEJDLY ATTORNEY Oct. 13, 1942. P. M. NEJEDLY 2,298,713

I I BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 7, 1940 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 FlQJO -INVENTOR PHFRMNzS/EDLY y, JM;

ATTORNEY BOWLING PIN SETTING 'MACH'INE CONTROL MECHANISM Oct. 13, 1942.

NEJEDLY ll Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June '7, 1940 INVENTOR PETER M. NEJEDL) ATTORN EY llllll ll l v lllllll lllll Hllll lllll P. M. N EJEDLY BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 7, 1940 11 SheetsSheet '7 INVENTOR PE R M. NfJEDLY BY p g ATTORNEY Oct. 13, 1942. P. M. NEJEDLY BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM ll Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June '7, 1940 Oct. 13, 1942. P. M. NEJEDLY 2,298,713

BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June '7, l9 4O I ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Oct. 13, 1942; P. M. NEJEDLY BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM ll Sheets-Sheet 1O Filed June 7, 1940 INVENTOR PETER M. NEJ EDLY TTORNEY Oct. 13, 1942, P. M. NEJEDLY BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINE CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 7, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 D m n R Q M 0 m n mm A [T E P V. "DYH P Ni A4.

Patented OctQ13, 1942 BOWLING rm SETTING MACHINE common MECHANISM Peter M. Nejedly, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to American Machine and Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application June 7, 1940, Serial No. 339,344

49 Claims.

This invention relates to bowling pin setting machines and more particularly to improvements in completely automatic bowling pin setting ma-- chines wherein means are provided for setting pins in proper arrangement on the bed of a bowling alley, removing deadwood" after the throwing of a ball, and respotting pins which remain standing after the removal of deadwood so that the play of the game can be continued in rapid order. I

This invention also relates to automatic bowling pin setting machines and more particu larly to improvements in control devices suitable for operating such machines in order to automatically eflect various changes in its operation depending upon the several possibilities with respect'to the number of pins knocked down by one or more balls. That is, if a strike is made the machine automatically registers .the effect and more pins are fed from a magazine to the bed of the alley. So also, if a spare is made, other control mechanisms are automatically put into oper ation which will register the effect and cause the machine to go through a different set of operations than when a strike is made. Also if less than ten pins are knocked down by one or more balls, the machine will follow through certain cyclic operations which are different from those arising when a strike or spare is made.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide improved mechanism for automatically changing the sequence of operation of my machine whenever a strike or spare is made or less than ten pins are knocked down by the number of balls allotted to a player for each frame of the game.

It is a further object of my invention to provide automatic mechanism which will throw one set of control devices into operation when a strike is made andanother into operation when a spare is made and diiferentlate between the two.

It is afurther object of my invention to provide an automatic bowling pin setting machine in which a plurality of pins, usually ten, is transierred from a magazine into a pin setting device and placed upon the bed of an alley in proper playing arrangement, and wherein after the I an automatic pin setting machine wherein a vertically moving pin setting device is provided with means which assist in determining the number of pins felled by each ball thrown and wherev in control mechanism is advanced for changing the sequence of operations of the machine depending upon the number of pins knocked down '5 by the first or second ball.

. My invention also contemplates-the provision of improved control mechanism associated with suction bowling pin handling means in which the suction handling means cooperate to furnish a new set of pins to the bed of a bowling alley whenever the control mechanism indicates that more pins are needed to continue the play of the game.

My invention also includes the provision of a vertically movable pin setting table provided with setting and resetting members in which the table also is adapted to rotate in a single direction under the control of mechanism which deter- I mines the number of pins knocked down by each ball thrown and causes a change in the sequence of operations of the setting table.

My invention also consists of the provision of a movable rotary pin setting device provided with setting and resetting members in which the device is intermittently turned in a single direction in order to be positioned properly for receiving pins, and discharging them in playing arrangement on a bowling alley.

The invention also consists in the provision of a rotary pin setter and resetter table which is movable to and from a. bowling alley and is indexed intermittently in but a single direction at proper intervals when said table is located above the alley in pin receiving position. v

It is a further object of my invention to provide a pin setting device provided with pin handling members, each of which has associated therewith means for determining whether or not pins are standing after the throwing of the first ball of a frame so that when the device is moved towards an alley after a first ball is thrown and all pins are knocked down, selective means will be operated to initiate the feed of another set of pins to the alley.

My invention also includes improved strike control mechanism made operative whenever a strike is made by a bowler in which a control element is activated to select certain cams of a series to carry out a predetermined operative sequence.

My invention also consists in the provision of mechanisms which will distinguish between strikes and spares, and cause a relative movement between a set of control cams and an index control member so that the pin setter table, which 5 places pinson the alley, will be properly operated at the proper time to place a new set of pins on the alley.

It is an added object of my invention to provide strike and spare, control mechanism of a type which will satisfactorily differentiate between strikes and spares and cause selective mechanism in the form of shiftable cams to be moved into predetermined positions for coaction with control elements which cause my machine to carry out a series of predetermined functions necessary to its proper operations.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and-wherein the several reference characters designate the same or like elements:

Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation partly diagrammatic, showing a preferred embodiment of various mechanisms for automatically operating and controlling a bowling pin setting ma chine;

Figure 2 is a front elevation showing a part of the mechanism of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial side elevational view of the control mechanism and the pin handling table;

Figure 4 is a side elevation partly in section, taken on line 4-4 of Figure 5 showing a preferred form of control mechanism, the frame being omitted for sake of clearance;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a sectional plan view on line 7-? of Figure 4 showing the suction valve control mechanism;

Figure 8 is a side sectional elevation of the mechanism of Figure 9 showing in section taken along line 88 construction of the index locking mechanism and its connection to the pin setter table;

Figure 8a is a sectional view of a detail taken on line 8a8a of Figure 8;

Figure 9 is a plan view of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a rear view of the control mechanism shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a front view of the indexing mechanism, partly in section showing the connections between the pin setter table and the indexing device;

Figure 12 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of parts shown in Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a side elevation of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the pin setter table showing suction connections to the spotter and re-spotter funnels;

Figure 15 is a sectional elevation on line Iii-l5 of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a sectional elevation on line i6-l 6 of Figure 14; I

Figure 17 is a sectional view showing the suction inlet to the pin setter table;

Figure 18 is a sectional view on line i8-l8 of Figure 17; I

Figure 19 is a sectional view on line Iii-i9 of Figure 17;

Figure 20 is a sectional view showing a respotter unit resting on the bottom shelf of the table, the suction turned on bringing the valve stem down to hold the re-spotter secure while the table is rotated 180;

Figure 21 is a sectional view showing the same respotter when raised by the pin and sealed against the top plate of the table and the valve piston forced up so as to lead suction into the valve 'to hold the pin and funnel secure to th table;

Figure 22 is a partial sectional view showing the suction valve in a neutral position;

Figure 23 is a top view of the switches shown in Figure 21 with the cover removed;

Figure 24 is a sectional view on line 24-24 of Figure 20;

' Figure 25 is a development of suction cams the respotter units; I

Figure 26 is a development of the suction control cams for the pin handling units on the table Figure 27 is a development of cams for indexing the pin setter table;

Figure 28 is a development of cams for strike control circuit breaker and spare control mechanism;

Figure 29 is a plan view of the spotter and respotter cams;

Figure 30 is a side elevation of Figure 29;

Figure 31 is a plan view of the cams for in dexing the pin setter table; a

Figure 32 is a sectional elevation on line 32-32 of Figu e 3 t Figure 33 is a side elevation of Figure 31;

Figure 34 is a diagram showing circuits from the respotter switches on the pin setter table:

Figure 35 is a front elevation of Figure 34 with part of the wires omitted for clarity;

Figure 36 is a sectional elevation on line 38-38 of Figure 34;

Figure 37 is a fragment of Figure 36 drawn to a larger scale;

Figure 38 is a plan ,view of Figure 37;

Figure 39 is a wiring diagram showing the wirfor ing from the pin setter table to the control mechamsm;

Figure 40 is a diagram showing the progressive operations after the first ball has knocked down all ten pins, resulting in a strike;

Figure 41 is a diagram showing the progressive operations after the first ball has failed to knock down all ten pins, not a strike;

Figure42 is a diagram showing the progressive operations after the second ball has knocked down all the pins left standing by the first ball, resulting in a spare; and

Figure 43 is a diagram showing the progressive operations after the second ball has failed to knock down all the pins left standing by the first ball, not a spare. l

Referring to the drawings, in Figures 1, 2 and 3, I have shown a preferred form of my invention wherein are provided side frame uprights la, lb, 2a, and 2b connected by cross frame members 3 and 4 and longitudinal members. Supported on cross frame 4 is a bracket I in which one end of a shaft 6 is Journalled; the

other end is mounted in a bearing in side frame lb (Figuresl and 2) and carried by the shaft is a cam i. Shaft 6 is rotated by means of shaft through sprocket 9 fastened to shaft 49 by pending application, Serial No. 260,901 filed by Rupert E. Rundell on March 10, 1939. The pins are placed in predetermined arrangement in the table T, which is raised, lowered and inverted relative to the alley bed. In order to accomplish the desired movement of the table T, a gear segment l8, loosely mounted on shaft i2 and oscillated by means of a cam follower i1 mounted on the segment and engaging cam 1 causes the segment to rotate pinion l8 fixed to shaft l9 supported in arm of bracket 5. Also fixed to shaft I9 is a sprocket 2| about which is trained sprocket chain 22 tracking a sprocket 23v fixed to shaft 24 mounted in brackets 25 supported by the side frames 2a and 2b of the machine.

Mounted on shaft 24 is a pulley 26 about which is trained cable 21 suitably connected at 28 to slide member 31, vertically slidable in guides 8 on side frame member 2a and provided at its lower end with a bracket 38 and a clamp nut 38a which secures hollow shaft 39 of table T in the slide bracket 38 for vertical movement. The further construction and operation of table T will be described hereinafter. Also assisting in v the vertical movement of the table T is a. cable 29 which is trained over pulley 36 supported by shaft 3l journalled in bracket 32 mounted on cross frame 3. Cable 29 extends over a similar pulley 5 mounted on shaft 33 supported by bracket 34 mounted on frame member 4. A counte weight 36 acts to balance ,the table. While I have only described the mountings of single cables, it will be apparent from Figure 2 thataliese cables maybe provided on both sides of the rirac hin e. PIN HANDLING MECHANISM As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 14 to-l6, inclusive, he table T comprises a plurality of pin setter elements S mounted on one side and a plurality of respotting units U mounted on the other side. The arrangement of the setters S and respotting units U conforms to the usual playing positions of pins on the alley bed, but may be varied in any other manner if desired.

Pins P, which are to be transferred and set upon the bed of a bowling alley, are fed from the pit of the alley by suitable mechanism (not shown), which may include spiral members 40 forming a part of amagazine indicated generally M wherein a plurality of pins, usually ten or more, is arranged in alignment for the removal therefrom of the desired number at a predetermined time by means of grippers 4| which are mounted upon a vertically and horizontally movable conveyor device designated 42 which con- I slidably mounted carriages 45 which in the preferred embodiment are provided with independent gripping fingers M which engage and grip the required number of up-ended pins in magazine M for transfer to pin setter S (Figure 1).

The raising and lowering of the table T and operation of the pin transfer mechanism 42 is accomplished by means of a motor 41 mounted upon frames la, lb of the machine at 48. A stud shaft 49 is driven by means of the sprocket 50 from the motor shaft 5| through a sprocket 52 mounted thereon and a chain 52a. The drive is transferred from shaft 49 to shaft 6 by means of sprocket chain it) in the manner described hereinafter. In like manner, shaft53. on which is mounted cam 54 which causes the raising and lowering of pin transfer 42, is driven by means of sprocket 55 mounted on shaft 49 through sprocket chain 56 tracking a sprocket 51 on shaft 53. Cam 54 is provided with a high and a low portion, and whenever the low portion is engaged by cam follower 58 on lever 59, the transfer 42 will be either in pin receiving position over the magazine M or in pin delivering position over setters S. Lever 59 is provided with an arm 69 to which is attached a link 6| connected at 62 to lever 63 provided with an arm 64 pivotally connected to bar 44-forming a cross member of the frame of transfer 42.

The carriages 45 are moved longitudinally along bars 43 by means of pinions (not shown) mounted on shaft 69 journalled in arm 66 which also form a part of lever 59 mounted on shaft the above referred to co-pending application. a ,In this manner the bowling pins are lifted from spirals 49 by grippers 4|, moved clear thereof, trimsferred longitudinally and located in proper arrangement in pin setters S where they are held while the carriages 45 with their grippers 4| move back to obtain a new set of pins.

SUCTION Gmrrnss Afterithe carriages 45 have delivered the pins from the magazine to the setters S, the pins, gripped firmlytherein by suitable means such as mechanical grippers or holders operated by suction, providedin the table from a suitable source of supply through a conduit 13 and valves V1 and V2, hereinafter described more in detail, are transferred to the alley A. Conduit 14 connects valve V1 (Figures 4, 5 and 6) through a flexible conduit 16 to a hollow plug 18 fixed in hollow shaft 39 (Figure 17), so that suction created in conduits l4, 16 can be transmitted through a twoeway element 80, which supports one end of a hollow shaft 8|, through two-way elements '82 fastened to the other end of member 8| and provided with an opening connecting a hollow plug 84 with a flexible conduit 85. Conduit 85 conducts suction to ducts 81 which are connected to each of the pin setter units S. Since plug 84 is adapted to rotate relative to fixed hollow shaft 39, a circumferential suction passage 83 is formed in element 82,shaft 39 and sleeves 83a which surround shaft 39. In this manner it is possible to create the desired fluid pressure, and maintain it regardless of the rotation of table T.

In order to operate the resetting or respotting members U, I have provided a flexible conduit 11 which connects with conduit 15. Flexible conduit 11 connects to a hollow plug member 19 fast in shaft 39, and suction is inducted into the hollow shaft therefrom through a circumferential passage 88 similar to 83 into the bore of plug 89 about which is seated flexible conduit 96 which through ducts 9| supplies the several respotting units U with fluid pressure whenever pins are to be lifted and respotted.

PIN HANDLING ELEVATOR Table or elevator T consists generally of a frame F provided with a central barrel or hub 92 mounted upon sleeves 83a for rotation about and relative to stationary shaft 39. Barrel 92 is held in proper position upon shaft 39 against lateral movement thereon by means of a collar 93 positioned about shaft 39 and locked in adjusted relationship thereto by means of a set 105a provided with a journal 1% (Figure 6).

screw 94. Referring to Figures 14, 15, 16 and 11, it will be seen that frame F supports the several 'setters S in usual Substantially triangular pin for- 'mation, although any other desired arrangement connecting them to the system of pipes 81, while the remaining setters are mounted upon the pipes 81 by means of T units 8127. Attention is called to Figures 15 and 16 which illustrate this method of mounting the setters S. Inasmuch as suction is inducted into the system 8.1, by means of conduit 85, it will be uniformly distributed through the several pin setters as desired. The table Talso comprises an upper plate 96 and a lower plate 91 provided with a number of open ings IOI therein corresponding to the number of pin respotting units. These two plates are connected by means of spacers 98 which by means of suitable nuts 99 hold them rigidly separated one from another.

Upper plate 96 is secured to frame F by means of brace I00 extending downwardly from the frame F. slidably mounted upon lower plate 91 and. substantially concentric with each of the openings IOI therein, are the bowling pin respotting units U, which are substantially the same as those shown and described in the above referred to application. In order to prevent excessive lateral movement of the respotters U on their support, circular depending flanges I02 are mounted on the under surface of plate 96. In order to control the op eration of the bowling pin setters, insofar as the application of suction is concerned, when it is desired to lift pins from the alley for respotting, brackets I03 are employed, which support suctiOn conduits I04 to which suction is conducted by means of pipe SI described previously.

SUCTION VALVE CONSTRUCTION In order to control the suction in the pin setters S and respotting units U, there has been provided a housing I05 which has lugs I06 through which project screws I01 fastening the housing to machine frame 2a (see Figures 3 to '1, inclusive). Also secured to frame 2a by means of screws I09 is a bracket IIO having a bearing III 'in which is journalled a shaft II2. Secured to one end of shaft H2 is a crank arm II3 while at the other end is fixed a lever I I4 provided with a cam follower II5. Crank H3 is connected to a link H6.

Also forming a part of housing I05 is an arm A shaft II 1 is journalled in journal I08a of projection I08 formed on housing I05 and in the journal I05b. Mounted on shaft H1 is a sprocket II8 which through sprocket chain II9 drives the shaft in the direction indicated in Figure 4. Levers I2I and I2Ia are journalled on shaft I22 mounted in housing I05 and bracket I23 secured to housing I05 by screws I24. Shaft I 22 is fixed I in housing I05 by a set screw I26. Levers I2I and I2Ia are provided with portions I21 arranged to engage with adjustably mounted set screws I28 mounted in housing I05 and thereby control the downward movement of the levers.

The suction control mechanism may consist of a double valve device, designated generally D screws I30. Two valves V1 and V2 are provided,

for reasons described hereinafter, and since the construction is'identical it will sufllce to describe one in detail. Valves V1 and V2 are arranged side by side and in the illustrated embodiment are formed in a single unit. Slidably mounted in each of the valves is a piston member I3I, having a slotted lower end and a pin I32 resting on the end of lever .IZI. Piston member I3I is provided with a reduced portion I33 approximately midway of its length, and at its free end has a substantially L-shaped bore I34. The piston is slidably movable in bore I35 formed in each valve device. Aspring I36 bears against and tends to urge each piston I3I into suction cut off position in which the reduced portion I33 lies out of alignment with bore I39 so that L-shaped bore I34 bleeds through opening I38, and pipe 14, and the tail I21 of lever I2I rests against set screw I28 thus preventing excess downward movement of lever I2I. In this position (see Figure 4) all suction through conduit 14 is cut off.

Cam follower I20 on lever I2I is provided for tracking one or more cams which are moved into cooperating position therewith as described hereinafter. In this manner lever I2I is raised against the compression of spring I36,'reduced piston portion I33 is aligned with bore I39 and pipe 14, suction flows from conduit 13 to pipe I4 and thereby enters either the pin setter or the pin respotting system, and either one or the other, respectively, is made active for gripping and handling pins, as pointed out above. As stated, valves V1 and V2 are identical in construction and operation although they are operated in different timed relation, as will be made evident hereinafter. A single source of suction 13 feeds both valves. A bore I3 Ia connects valve V1 and a similar bore I3Ib connects valve V2 with the source of suction.

SUCTION VALVE Connor. MECHANISM The operation of valves V1 and V2 is controlled by a series of cams slidably mounted on and rotating with shaft II1. As shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and '1, cams I4I, I42 and I43 coact with cam follower projection I20 on valve lever I2I, and cams I44,'I45 and I46 cooperate with projection I20a on valve lever I2Ia to open and close thesevalves. The camsmay all be formed as an integral unit or connected together (as shown, secured to. a disk I14, and mounted for sliding movement as a unit on shaft I I1). Fixed to cam I44 is a hub I48 having a reduced portion I49 engaged by cam follower II5 carried by lever II4 so that whenever this lever is rocked, the cams will be shifted along shaft II1.

Mounted on frame 2 are other elements of the control mechanism in which the several stationary shafts thereof are fixed in spaced frame members I50 and I5I secured to the frame 2 and to each other at I53 (Figure 9).

PIN TABLE INDEXING MECHANISM The mechanism for indexing the pin setter' table will now be described. Referring to Figure 12, it will be seen that a solenoid I60 mounted on frame I5I (Figure 10) is provided with an armature I6I connected to a bell crank lever I62- (Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6) having a bracket portion \attached an arm I56b. Arm I56b is pivotally I29 mounted upon housing I05 by means of connected to link 'IIB (Figure 6). The free end of lever I62 is provided with a trigger or hammer portion I62c movable by operation of solenoid I66 intopengagement with latches I63 mounted about a turret I66. These, latches cooperate in holding the pins I64 in inoperative position. From a reference to Figures 12 and 13, it will be seen that solenoid I66 has been energized whereupon armature I6I has moved lever I62 from its normally inoperative position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 12, to its latch engaging, or full line position, where impact armor hammer "20 has engaged a latch I63; hence under such conditions the latch is tripped, and the pin I64 under its control is released. Turret I66 carries a plurality of pins I64 spaced ninety degrees apart, as shown in Figure 13. Each of the pins is slidably mounted and normally spring urged into operative position.- Each pin is also provided with a reduced portion I64a adapted to be engaged by tail I63a of latch I63 for locking the pin in inoperative position. As shown in detail in Figure 12, each pin I64 is slidably mounted in bores I66b formed in the turret I66, and encircling each pin is a spring I66a, one end of which engages a shoulder l64b of pin head. I641:

while the other end'of the spring bears against a shoulder I650 of the bore I66b.

The several latches are pivotally mounted at I66 in grooves or slots I61 formed in the turret. Springs I66 located in bores I69 formed in the turret I65 urge latches I63 into latching position as the pin I64 is pushed in when the pin head I64a rides on cam I 64c.

Turret I66, which is responsible for the operation of the strike control mechanism of the machine, is loosely mounted on shaft I16, and has either formed integrally therewith or suitably attached thereto a gear "I which is driven by gear I12 mounted on shaft I13, meshes with gear I14 on shaft I16, and gear I14a, also onshaft I16, which are driven by gear I16 on shaft I11. Shaft I11 is driven from sprocket 466 on the main drive shaft 49 through chain 46I to sprocket 462 on shaftl". Pinion 463 on shaft I11 meshes with gears 464 on shaft I86v on which are mounted the severalrcams (I86 to I9I, inclusive) which control the various operations as will be hereinafter described.

Referring to Figure 13, which shows the angular arrangement of the four pins I64 used in the illustrated form of my invention, it will be seen that in its counter-clockwise movement, each pin, if and when it is released from latch I63, becomes operative approximately forty-flve degrees from the vertical, at which time it engages cam surface I62 of a lever I16, hereinafter described more in detail. It is also to be noted that as the turret is rotated step by step through 90 each cycle of the machine during which time shafts 6 and 63 make one and two revolutions, respectively. each of the pins I64 will be moved past. hammer or trigger head I620 and if the pin is not leased from a particular latch, that pin will operate in the mannerabove described. That is, when a pin I64 is unlatched, spring I66a, which the right (Figure 12) and the strike control a yoke I6I at its free end in which rides a roller I61. carried on the end of lever I66. In this-manner whenever lever I16 is rocked about its pivot because of its engagement with a pin I 64, link II6 rocks lever II3, which shifts collar I46 and its associated cams along shaft II1. Am I 66a of lever I66 is provided with a cam follower I66 which rides in a groove I83 formed in member I84 slidably mounted on shaft I86. Attached to or formed integrally with member I84 are cams I86, I61 and I86 on one side of groove I83, while cams I86, I90 and I9I, the last of which is a blank, are located on the other'side. Spring I94, which encircles shaft I86, bears against collar I92 fixed to shaft I86 and urges member I84 against collar I96 also pinned to shaft I86.

. When the lever I16 is moved by a selected pin I64, it causes yoke'I8I to rock arm I66 which controls the movement. of the strike and spare cams. Hence, if there is a full stroke of lever I66 (from full-line to dotted-line position, Figures 6 and 13), the movement of member I84 along the shaft I86 will position cam I88 in the path of a lever I96 mounted on shaft I 96 for engagement by the bumps I91 of cam I66 for indexing the pin setter table T through one-half of a revolution.

- When a bump I91 engages with lever I96 it swings a lever I98, fast on shaft I96, provided with a locking nose I99 out of locking engagement with lever 202. A spring 263, one end of which is secured at264 to the lever I96 and the other end of which is suitably connected to the frame, normally urges lever I96 into locking ena groove 209a in member 209 formed integrally with or suitably attached to gear 2I6 which is slidably and rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft 2. A spring 2I I located in a recess 2I2 in frame I66 bears against lever 261 so that whenever lever 262 is released from locking engagement with lever I98, the spring 2 forces gear"2I-0,' which meshes with gear 2I3 fixed to shaft I11, to

slide along shaft 2I4, each of which shafts makes two revolutions per cycle of the machine.

Fastened to or formed integrally with gear 2 I0 is an arm 2I6 provided with a cam follower 2" arranged to engage slots 2I8 in a Geneva gear 2I9 rotatably mounted on shaft 226 whenever lever 261 is rocked by shaft 206 to slide arm 2I6 into engagement with Geneva gear 2I6 whereupon cam follower 2" carried by arm 2I6 is positioned to engage one of the slots 2I8 in Geneva gear 2I9. As shown, slots 2I8 are spaced 96,

apart so that every time the cam follower 2I1 engages in a slot 2I8, the Geneva gear will be indexed through 90. Spaced 90 apart about the periphery of Geneva gear 2I9 and between slots 2 I8 are apertures 22I into which fits a projection 222 mounted on a lever 223 pivoted at 224 and provided with a cam follower 226 tracking. abuts against shoulder I64b, forces the pin to 7 6 cam mOunted 0n the hub arm this manner, after each indexing movement of arm 2I6, projection 222 will be brought into engagement with an aperture 22 I to lock the Geneva. gear 2I9 against overrun. i

Attached to or formed integrally with Geneva 201 thereby disconnecting cam follower 2" from Geneva slot 2I8, whereupon cam follower 225 riding on cam 226 looks shaft 220 against further rotation because of the engagement of projection 222 with aperture 22I (see Figures 4 and- 8). Also mounted on shaft 229 and either formed integrally with or attached to gear 228 is a gear 230. Fixed at 180 intervals adjacent the periphery of gear 230 and on the face thereof are plates 23I provided with projections 232.

These projections are positioned to engage with, 25 cut-out portions or apertures 233 formed in plates 234 fixed to the face of a gear I mounted on hub 235 of table T.

Fromythe above it follows that setter table T, which is mounted on shaft 39 supported by slide brackets 31 running in slides 8, will be in posi-.

tion to be turned on shaft 39 through 180 whenever one of the projections 232 carried by a gear I 230 is in engagement with an aperture 233 carried by gear I30 (Figure 4).

Setter table T is provided at one end (see Figures 2, 9 and 14) with a hub 235 so that whenever gear I30 is rotated through 180, setter table T also will rotate a similar amount. In order to lock the table against possible rotation until such motion is desired, there has been provided a latch and thrust collar 231 between hub 235 and one face of gear I30; this collar is keyed to shaft 39 and is provided with openings 238 in which fit noses 239 formed on latches 240 which are pivotally mounted on short shafts 24! carried by gear I30 and hub 235. In the present embodiment two latches spaced 180 apart are employed, thereby making it certain that the table will be unlocked for indexing at the proper time. Each latch is furnished with a control arm 242 and springs 243 cooperate with tails 244 formed on the latches to maintain noses 239 in locking engagement with openings 238. An adjustable link 245 connects levers 246 attached to shafts 24I so that whenever one latch 240 is moved out of engagement with collar 231, the other also will be moved. Mounted on the hub of arm 2I6, adjacent cam 226, is a cam 241 positioned to engage the control arms 242 of latches 240 so that whenever lever 2I6 moves to drive Geneva gear 2I9, the high portion of cam 241 engages one of the arms 242 of latches 240 and thereby unlocks gear I30 and hub 235 from collar 231 so that setter table T can be indexed the desired amount, in this case, 180". It will be observed that gear I30 is so mounted that the setter table can be raised and lowered and also inverted in proper timed relation to the control mechanism. This arrangement also makes it possible to index the table in one direction.

Loosely mounted on shaft 256 is a star wheel 255 provided with a plurality of projections 255a positioned in the path of pins I64 on turret I65 so that during the rotation of the turret, whenaaosnieever a pin I64 projects therefrom, the pin in addition to engaging cam surface I82 of lever I18 will also engage one of the projections 255a and turn star wheel 255 through one step, the magnitude of which depends upon the number of projections 255. In the present embodiment there are eight projections 255a and the star wheel is indexed 45. A flat spring 251 bears against the periphery of star wheel 255 and prevents excess movement thereof under the influence of pins I64.

Fixed to wheel 255 is a cam 258 provided with alternate high and low portions, and so arranged that whenever star wheel 255 is indexed, cam 258 will also move through a given angle. Tracking on cam 258 is a cam follower 258 mounted on lever 260 pivoted on shaft 26L Lever 280 is ,also provided with arms 262 and 263, and to arm 263 is fastened one end of spring 264, the other end of which is suitably secured to a stationary part of the machine. Spring 264 maintains cam follower 259 in tracking engagement with cam '258. On the free end of arm 262 there is provided a projection 265 arranged to be moved into and out of the path of a pin 266 mounted on and projecting laterally from lever I18. The arrangement of this mechanism is such that whenever lever I18 is moving on its return stroke after having been moved outwardly by a pin I64, if cam follower 259 is running on a high part of cam 258, projection 265 will move clear of. pin 266, but if cam follower 259 is positioned 'on a low part of cam 255 then projection 265 will be moved into the path of pin 266 and hence will lock lever I18 against full return movement.

As shown in Figures 6 and 13, movement of lever I18 is responsible for the movement and positioning of shiftable member I84, which has associated therewith a series of cams I86 to I9I, inclusive. Movement of lever I18 also shifts disk I41 and the several cams I to 146, inclusive, which are associated therewith. Therefore, whenever a pin I64 moves lever I18 through a full stroke, cam I88 will be positioned to engage lever I95, which at the proper'time sets into operation the indexing mechanism for the table T. So also, when lever I13 returns the full distance to its starting point, cam 186 will be located for engagement with lever I 95 for a similar purpose. If, however, lever I18 is locked intermediate these positions because of the engagement of projec tions 265 with pin 266, then the table T will be indexed because of the operation of middle cam I81 which is then positioned for coaction with lever I95. I

STRIKE AND SPARE CAMS Figure 27 shows cams I86, I81 and I88 ex panded. It will be noted that cam I88 is provided with four bumps, equidistantly spaced, or 90 apart, and that bumps I88 and I88 operate as one active set, while bumps I88 and I88 perform likewise as another set. Cam I88 is the strike control cam. Cams I86 and I81 are spare control cams. Each cam is rotated through onehalf a revolution per cycle of the machine. The cams are 50 arranged that whenever a new set of pins has been set upon the alley, either cam I86 or I81 will be positioned with lever I 06- acting therewith after the throwing of the first ball, This is because in some instances lever I18 can move back to its original or inoperative position, in which case, cam I86 is positioned to engage lever I95, or in the event that cam follower 259 rests on a low portion of cam 258, lever I18 will be locked in its intermediate p9- pr'opriate time arrives.

stance, lever I95 is tracking cam I86 and a strike is made, cam I88 will be moved into engagement with lever I95 so that bump I on cam I88 will effect the indexing of the machine to deposit a new set of pins on the alley, and that in the continued movement of the cam, bump 2 of the cam I88 will cause the table to index through 180 in the same direction to return the pin setter into position to receive a newset of'pins when the ap- Due to the fact that lever I18 has been moved by the 'pin I64, made operative by unlatching of latch I63, star wheel '255 has also been indexed, which means that cam follower 259 has moved off the high part of cam 258 onto a low part thereof thereby locking lever I18 in its intermediate position so that cam I81 is shifted for engagement with lever I95. When a ball of the next frame is thrown, if a strike results, the pin I64 which is selected will shift cam I88 again into engagement with lever I95 and a high part of cam 258 will be moved for engagement with cam follower 259 which means that projection 256 will be moved clear of pin 266 thereby allowing lever I18 to move its full throw, in which event cam I86 will be set for engagementwith lever I95. If after the throwing of the first ball of any frame, pins remain standing,

. lever I62 cannot be moved into position to engage and unlatch pin I64 because solenoid I60 is not energized, and hence lever I18 will remain stationary so that either cam I86 or I81, if itwhereupon cam I88 will be shifted in the manner described aboveinto the place formerly occupied by either the cam I86 or I81.

SUCTION VALVE CAM CONTROL Acting in conjunction with the pin control or strike or spare cams, just described above, are a plurality of meanswhich are responsible for the proper operation .of the suction valves, and the setting and resetting units respectively.

Figures 4, 5, 6, 9 and 25, inclusive, show a preferred form of mechanism for controlling the operation of the suction valves for the pin handling devices. Since cams I89, I90 and I9I are connected to member I84, it is evident that whenever cams I86, I81 and I88 are shifted back and forth along shaft I85, these cams also will be moved in a similar manner. Located to coact with and track these last-named cams I89, I 90 and I9l, is a lever 261 fastened to shaft 268 and provided with a cam follower portion 269 which travels upon the periphery of these cams. Lever 261 is, therefore, rocked by one of these cams, as selected, in proper timed sequence and is so constructed that it can simultaneously press against buttons 210, 21I' which are mounted adjacent solenoid I60 (Figures 8, 13 and 32).

Switch 210 operates the pin carrier system 42 to effect the feed of additional pins to the pin setters S, and switch 21I operates signal mech- 181 will beengaged with lever I95. If, for in- '7 anism which since it forms no part of "my invention will not be described further herein. Lever 261 is providedwith a'projection 261a which engages both switches simultaneously. Because of this arrangement lever 261 can be operated by either cam I89 or I90 which forms a part ofmember I84 slidable on shaft I85. Each cam is provided with a singlebump, tracked by'lever 269, either formed'integrally with lever 261 or as a separate lever fixed to shaft 268 so that as the selected cam is tracked by lever 269 the switches will be operated by lever 261 and the desired operating circuits energized in proper order.

It will be seen, therefore, that cams I89 and I90 are complementary in action to cams l86and I81 and because the bumps of cams I89 and I90 are set to operate in advance of the high parts on cams I86 and I81, the pin carrier system will always feed pins to the pin setter S before the table P is indexed to deliver the pins carried by the setter upon the alley in proper playing arrangement.

During the interval in which the pin carrier system feeds pins to the setter and the indexing of the table frompin receiving to pin discharging position, the alley has been swept clear of "deadwood" and the fallen pins and ball have I been shunted to their distributing means for return to the pin magazine and bowler, respective-- ly, by means (not shown) which may be the same as that described in the co-pending application referred tohereinabove. In a like manner, cams I89, I90 are complementary, but due to the fact that cam I 9| is a blank there will be no movement of lever 261, and hence whenever a strike is made and cam I89 is operative, switches 210 and 2H will not be disturbed, so that line 323 is a closed circuit due to the fact that switch 360a is closed, as shown in Figure 39, thereby providing for the operation of solenoid I50 and the feed of a set of pins to setters S, as described hereinbefore.

It follows, therefore, that in the operation of my machine different sequences of operation take place dependent upon the number of pins knocked down by each ball thrown. Therefore, if all the pins are knocked down by the first ball, or a strike is made, certain mechanisms will be selected and ber of balls allowed for each frame of the game.

The machine will automatically differentiate, select, .set and reset the desired number of pins so that the play of the game may continue automatically and uninterruptedly insofar as the proper and desired setting of pins is concerned.

'Rnsnrrrm Umrs ELECTRIC CONTROL each provided with means for conducting suction,

automatically registering the presence or absence of standing pins, and, there-fore, are responsible for the movement of pins to the setters S. Since all of the pin resetter units are the same, only one will be described in detail. In the preferred form a tubular bracket 300 is fixedly mounted upon plate 96 in centered relation with reference to an opening 96a therein, and in proper arrangement with respect to the required positioncenter of a pin. Coiled about the valve 302 is a spring 306 which bears against the piston and normally tends to urge it upward as shown in Figure 21. A suction opening 301 is formed in the bore in order to make it possible for suction v to be fed from conduit 9! ,and hence through the bores 303 and 305 for gripping pins. "In Figure 21 the suction opening 301 is shown aligned with conduit 9| so that suction is being conducted causing the respotter to grip a pin. Projecting from the upper face of piston 30l is a rod 309 about which is coiled a spring 308 bearing against the upper face of the piston and tending to push it downwardly against the pressure of spring 306.

Rod 309 extends upwardly through opening 3l0 in insulating plug 3i i which is secured in'the open end of bracket 300. Mounted on rod 309 are insulating plugs 3|2 and 3l3 between which is located a conductor disk 3l4 held thereon by means of a screw 3|5. Disk 3 is adapted to engage spring contacts 3i6 mounted 180 apart on insulating plug 3| I by means of bolts 3i8 secured to contacts 3Iia of wires 3ll by means of nuts 3l9. As shown in Figures 22 and 23, placed substantially 90 apart from contacts 3l6 are spring contacts 320 which are fixed to insulating plu s 3 by means of bolts 32! and nuts 322 which also secure contacts 322a of line 323. It will be noted that in Figure 21, disk 3 is shown as closing a circuit through spring contacts 3l6, while in Figure 22 the disk is shown in neutral or circuit open position. However, in Figure the disk is shown closing a circuit through contacts 320 and wires 323. A light cover 300a is provided for protection against dust and injury to the switch unit.

In Figure 20 suction from the line 9i has pulled down piston 30l so that opening 301 is cut oil from the source of suction and the pressure of valve 302 bearing against disk 324 is sufficient to hold the unit U against lower plate 91 so that it will not slide between support plates 96 and El dw'ing the indexing of the table T. From this it follows that although units U may be moved down into engagement with the heads of standing pins, as indicated in dot-dash lines in Figure 21, these pins will not be lifted. In Figure 21 a different operation takes place because suction opening 301 is aligned with conduit 9|, the suction is conducted through bores 30'! and 305 to grip a pin for lifting.

ELECTRIC SYSTEM FOR SETTER TABLE T Referring to Figures 30 to 34, inclusive, it will be seen that mounted on frame F by means of bolts 325 are brackets 326 to which is fastened by means of bolts 321 a switch board 334. This board may be made of any suitable insulating material, such as Bakelite or the like, or any other suitable material commonly used for this purpose, and is formed in the general shape'of a semicircle. with the several switches 329 mounted thereon by means of bolts and nuts 330 and 33| to -the strike control circuit. These switches are to switches 320 mounted on plugs 3 of the resetter units, as described hereinabove.

As shown in Figure '37, switches 320 are preferably formed of flat spring material and are mounted for engagement with contacts 332 secured by nuts 333 to fixed plate 328 which is rigidly mounted by means of screws 336 on an arm of bracket 336. The switches 329 may also be arranged in concentric semi-circles and the contacts 332 are likewise arranged in a complementary semi-circular relationship so that, whenever plate 328 is moved relative to plate 334, switches 320will make or break circuits through the wires 323. Wires 323 are connected to contacts 332 by means of nuts 333 (as shown in Figure 38). As shown in Figures 32 and 33, there are two contacts for each set of wires 323 so that there are two switches 329 and two contacts for each set of wires leading to each respective pin resetter unit. As described previously, each resetter unit is also provided with spring switch members 316 which are connected to wires 3" of connected in series through all the pin resetters and two leads thereof are connected by means of 'nuts 342 'in plate 334. Bracket 336 is clamped frame F that switches 329 and 340 engage with I the contacts 332 and 34l on plate 334 whenever i the pin resetters are located above the alley in position to determine the presence or absence of standing pinsthereon. Consequently, when the table T is indexed and lowered towards the alley, circuits will be made through wires 323 and 3H because then switches 329 engage contacts 332 and switches 340 engage contacts 34!. It will be seen, therefore, that as the table is moved upwardly and indexed another 180, the several switches will be opened and the several circuits will be broken.

The leads 323 which are attached to plate 334 extend to plate 343 mounted on bracket 336. Plate 343 is made of non-conducting material having several contacts 344 which are engaged by spring switches 345 secured to plate 346 by means of bolts 341 and nuts 348. Leads 323 are similarly secured to plate 343. Plate 346 is mounted on a bracket 349 fixed to frame I. In this manner, despite the fact that carriage 3H mounts the shaft 39 for vertical movement, nevertheless the electric circuits can be made and maintained whenever switch 345 contacts 344 in lowered position of the pin setter table T.

SUCTION CONTROL MECHANISM OPERATION Pins standing after throwing of each ball Referring to Figures 4, 5, 6, '7 and 13, it will be apparent that there is a direct relationship between the several cams which function to control the machine when a strike or spare is made, or

if pins remain standing on the alley after the which are fastened wires 323 connected in parallel 7 throwing of the allotted number of balls, and the suction control means which coact with the suction valves controlling the supply of suction to the pin setters and resetters of the pin handling table.

If it be assumed that a set of pins is standing on the bowling alley in playing arrangement at the beginning of a game, then under normal conditions cams MI and I44 of the cam assembly |4 'l will be positioned to engage with levers anemia m, semi. tribal... and the-suction valves-V1 and V2. Y i Referringtol'igures25,28,27and28,which show the several -cams expanded, lever IIIa.

engages cam I44 while lever I2I engages cam III rides on a high portion of cam I44 and sue-- tion goes on in order to grip the standing pins will be picked up in order that deadwood may be removed'from the alley by the sweep. The suction is maintained on until the table descends and respots the lifted pins on the alley in subsuction goes oil because cam lever rides of! the high portion of cam I44 and the pins are released. 25

a low portion. or am m. mama s at on; the

pins are freed and; remain standing on the alley when the table Suction, however, remains on in the respotters because the table must be 8 again indexed through 180 in order to present l tion of cam I84 and suction is the setters for another set of-pins. The auction remains on until the table rises and is indexed byengagement of lever I88-with buinp 4a of cam 1 I88 whereuponlever IZIarides oif the high porcut 01! thereby closing the secondcycle. I Spare In a spare the same operations are carried out 5 except that when the table is lowered to test for the presence. or absence of standing pins after \the throwing of the second ball of the allowed so that when the table is lifted, the standing pins status of his play. All of the several levers and table indexing mechanism will remain inoperative during the movement of the table up and down because of the low portion engaged by lever I95. At the same time, suction valve con trol lever I2I will have no motion because it rides on the low part of cam I41 and hence no suction will be turned into the spotters. With the return of the standing 'pins to the alley in respotted positions and the elevation of the table with a concurrent rotation of the several cams through 180, the first cycle of the liachine will have been completed and hence it will be seen that for each ball thrown it will cause the machine to operate through an entire cycle.

allowed number of balls per frame, pins still remain standing, the table T travels downwardly to the alley and finds pins remaining upright thereon. If the "game being played as a two bail cams described above operate similarly and the machine is in operation for two cycles. s-tantially their identical positions whereupon Strike in position with cams I4I, I44, I88 and I88, if

.therei'ore, when the first ball is thrown and all of the pins are knocked down a strike results.

The arrival of the ball in the pit at the end of the alley starts the operation of the machine and If, upon the throwing of the next ball of the a per frame game, the standing pins will not be rellfted and respotted. Consequently, lever Illa rides on 'a dwell portion of cam I44 and no suction can be conducted to the respotting units U so that the pins will not be lifted. Hence, when the table rises the sweep will sweep the standing pins and deadwood into the pit. As the table rises, cam I89 engages lever 261 to set into operation the mechanism for feeding pins to the setters of the table and as the table reaches its upward limits, at new set of pins is placed inthe setters, whereupon by means of cam I4I suction is created in the setter units S to hold the pins firmly while the pin transfers 42 retreat and return to their original positions. At the same time suction is turned on in the respotting units U because of the engagement of the lever I2Ia with a high portion of cam I44 which causes the resetters to be held against lateral movement for support on the table and thereby prevent them from shifting around during the indexing of the table which is caused by the engagement of bump 3a of cam I86 with lever I95 in order to position the pins for delivery on the alley. Therefore, with suction on in both setters and resetters, the table T with thepins in the setters S descends to the alley, the pinsare located thereon, and due to the engagement of lever I2I with causes the-table T to be lowered to perform its function of testing to determine the absence or presence of standing pins. The downward movement of table T causes switch members 845, 341 to close (Figures 35 and, 39) At this time suction has been created in the several resetting devices and since no pins are found standing, the circuit 828 is closed because of the closing of the in brackets 380 (see Figure 20), and ifdesired a strike signal can be used to inform the player that-all pins have been knocked down by the'iirst ball. The removal of all pins from the alley by a-single ball causes the energization of solenoid I which unlatches one of the con- -trol 'pins I84 so that it engages cam surface I82 of lever I18 forcing the lever in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 13) so that all of the cams I4I, M4, I86, and I89 are shifted out of engagement with levers IZI, I2Ia, I and v 281 and cam I43, I46, I88 andISI take their places. Table T is then elevated and because levers I2I and IZIa engage low portion of cams I48 and I46, suction is cut off in both the setters S and resetters U during the elevation of the suction table to pin receiving position. Substantially simultaneously with the energization of solenoid I80 the pin setter control mechanism is activated to feed a new set of pins to the setters, and when the pins have been located in the setters S because of the engagement of levers I2I and I2Ia with high portions of cams I43 and I46, the pins are gripped in the setters by suction and the resetters U are held against lateral shifting during the indexing of the table because of the engagement of lever I95 with bump I of cam I88 which switches the pins from receiving to pin delivery position above the alley. The table is lowered with suction on in both setters and resetters and after the pins have been located on the alley, suction is cut off in the setters to free the pins on the alley because lever III rides onto a low portion of cam I43 and closes valve V1. 

